Murray Barracks, Hongkong 1898

[sillsie]

I have a memo from the Hong Kong police dated 9th November 1898 to the Garrison Major, Murray Barracks telling of a rickshaw accident involving Private Robinson. From such sketchy details is it possible to find the regiment?

[km1971]

I cannot find an infantry battalion there in November 1898. Assuming the HK Police knew that the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers did not use the rank of Private there would have been other 'corps' there such as RAMC, ASC etc. You can also not discount the Royal Marines.

If you have Findmypast you can check the records of men discharged up to 1900 online now. For those discharged 1900 to 1913 you will have to wait until the summer. For researching the RMLI/RMA you need this link - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=56

Ken

[sillsie]

Thanks Ken, I will have a look
Phil

[sillsie]

Hi Ken, no joy I'm afraid. Can any information be gained from the uniform of Charles Harry Robinson?

[km1971]

You can discount marines as he is in the army. The medal ribbons could be the two from the Boer War - Queens South Africa and Kings South Africa. Unfortunately the medal rolls are in regimental order. So you will have to wait to see if FindMyPast publish his papers this summer.

You could also check the regimental BMDs on FindMyPast. The index gives the pre-1881 regimental number. If you find him in the 1911 census the birth places of any children may help.

Ken

[sillsie]

It was the Royal Lancaster Regiment which was in Hong Kong 1897-1899. He enlisted in 1891 as just Harry Robinson and lied about his age however his next of kin on his military records confirm I have the right one. He served his 12 years and then in 1914 enlisted again for the duration of the war.